Freedom

"Freedom isn't Free"

-Anonymous

I remember reading this quote when I visited the Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C.  I found it to be a really powerful statement and it didn't just remind me of all the men and women that died defending our country, but also all the babies that have died in the womb due to the freedom of choice.  I realized this because I was in D.C. for the Pro-Life March.  FREEDOM doesn't take away the consequences of our actions, which is why our choices are so important!

Today this statement came to my mind again because of the 4th of July.  I am grateful for all those have made sacrifices for me, but most importantly, I am grateful for Jesus Christ who suffered and died for us all.  Jesus made the choice to follow His Father's Will and die for me...you...all of us...so that we may know the love of Our Father and be with HIM eternally.  So I have to ask myself, "What do I chose to do with my freedom?"  Do I chose to do whatever I want and don't think about the consequences?  Or do I recognize that God gave me this gift of my life and chose to listen and follow Him? 

If you ask yourself those same questions, then we all most be honest and admit that it isn't always easy to do the right thing or the Christian thing.  Sometimes we may want to give in to peer pressure with our friends or give into temptation with our girlfriend, but Jesus shows us that God's ways will always have the best consequences.  God's Will always leaves us to Everlasting Love!  That is why I love this quote because it isn't always easy to do the Will of God. 

Just as Jesus Died freely, He also Rose Eternally and we need to remember that even though we may be critisized for our faith or have to make sacrifices, Jesus will raise us to a better place then we could have imagined for ourselves (with a full heart and a clear conscience).